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A direct confrontation is not the only way battles are won, but proper reconnaissance, or information gathering is also a must. And where is Waver and Rider in this episode, they are needed to lighten the mood!

A direct confrontation is not the only way battles are won, but proper reconnaissance, or information gathering is also a must. And where is Waver and Rider in this episode, they are needed to lighten the mood!

Everyone is still adjusting to Rider's massive amounts of GAR each week, so they decided to give us a breather?

So we really are going to have this "I came to see action only!" silliness every time a fully plot oriented episode comes around? *sigh*

Anyway, last week I sort of complained about the lack of developments concerning the main Master rivalry in F/Z, aka Kiritsugu and Kotomine, so naturally I was quite pleased to see it finally be the centre of attention in this excellent episode.

To get the detracting aspects out the way first, it sucks that we'll have to wait until the DVD/Blu-ray releases to be able to see Caster and his Master's works of art instead of some boring old columns (at least, that's what I'm hoping happens). Also, the art wasn't up to par with the first five episodes, with the characters' models being considerably less detailed, unfortunately. But I guess that's the price to pay for those superbly animated action sequences last week.

Interesting dynamic going on in the Archibald household there. Lancer's loyalty is commendable, but despite his good intentions I feel he might arouse resentment more than anything in his Master if he keeps on (possibly inadvertently) seducing his apparent wife like that.

Kiritsugu's Magus Killer side shined through in full glory there. Just as Archibald was done hyping up his intricate and throughout magical protections, everything goes to hell with the least magical means possible. Priceless stuff.

That's where things got really interesting, thanks in no small part to the appearance of Kotomine, who even screenwriter Gen Urobuchi highlighted as the one whose development in F/Z F/SN fans should be looking forward to the most. And this episode's definitely off to a very promising start. His quick exchange with Maiya was very thrilling, but the most interesting part was definitely how Kotomine claimed the encounter to have been worthwhile despite his prey's escape, simply due to having been able to witness Kiritsugu seemingly come to her rescue.

But his long yet so good it felt short conversation with Gilgamesh did even more for his character. And probably for Gil's as well, seeing how apparently many Fate/ newbies took the king of heroes for a rather one dimensional character incapable of anything but haughtiness, assumptions which he's effectively dispelled with this particular scene. I can't quite get into why I found said conversation so interesting without F/SN spoilers though, so I suppose I might save more detailed input on it for later in that one more appropriate thread. Still, it was quite the enjoyable philosophical exchange which perfectly illustrated Kotomine's poignant life dilemma and the influence Gilgamesh appears to be interested in exerting upon it.

All in all, a great character-driven episode, every bit as good as more action-driven ones.

Vol. 7 of Kadokawa Shoten's Type-Moon Ace publication will launch a new project for Fate/Apocrypha on December 15. Fate/Apocrypha was previously revealed as an online game set during the story's Holy Grail War, but the game has yet to be released. Type-Moon Ace Vol. 7 will also include a demo version of Type-Moon's upcoming Mahō Tsukai no Yoru visual novel and a mascot figure.

Considering how OP a lot of the servants were revealed to be, I'm not sure how well it'll translate into a MMO without it being horribly unbalanced:

Damn. That was a gorgeous episode. It's like they're increasing their budget as the show progresses. Even the sitting around and talking bits were gorgeous, even better than Episode One.

It seems too early for Archibald to really have eaten it in the building. On the other hand, I am really hoping the whole Saber needs to deal with Lancer subplot doesn't get stretched out for the entire season.

It wasn't bad, although that explosion looked pretty underwhelming. My favorite part is the start when Irisviel drives around like a nut and Saber's reacting so funny. And the Caster parts were not bad too.

The rest of the episode... umm, I guess we get more insight into Kotomine. And whatever the other guy was when he was bragging for his defenses.

Although this anime overall seems to have a bit too much posturing, and interestingly, I'd like to know more about Emiya; he isn't doing anything for me atm. Gilgamesh is kinda lol.

I give this episode a 6/10. It does its work as an in-between episode, but little else.

But by Fate/Zero's high standards, it made it the weakest episode thus far, imo.

There were elements I liked a lot, though. I honestly loved how "all-out" the Kiritsugu/Kayneath conflict was. Blowing up an entire high-rise building to take out one master/servant duo... I just have to admire how deliciously over-the-top that is.

I also liked the Kayneath trio, and their conversation. Kayneath showed a little bit of charisma in this episode, and that was nice to see.

However, this episode shows once more just how important the Rider/Waver combo is to this show. I don't think it's any coincidence that when they're given an episode off, the overall balance of the show feels a bit off.

The thing is that most of the masters and servants are very careful and precise in everything that they do and say, and that's fine. But it's good to have a lively chaos factor to balance out with that, and this is what Rider/Waver provide in flying colors. With them not around, the overall atmosphere and mood feels a bit too sedate, a bit too comfortable/relaxed.

It's pretty telling that in an episode where a building gets dramatically blown up in glorious style, my final impression is one of feeling like I just sleepily drank a nice cup of tea.

One specific reason for this is...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horse

I thought this episode, while good, had a very weird structure/pacing - wtf @ putting 7 minutes of talking at the end of an episode... It started good, had a good middle and then ended with a whimper (no matter how interesting that dialogue would seem it was no way to end an episode).

Bingo. Exactly my take as well.

That was solid dialogue, but it's not the best way to end an anime episode, imo.

driver seat on the left, high speed driving on the left side of the road? np np

ep1 ends with an orgasmic summon scene
ep2 ends with Gilgamesh being OP
ep3 ends with an impending fight between Lancer and Saber
ep4 ends with the introduction of Santa
ep5 ends with a the conclusion of one massive brawl.

In comparison the ending for ep6 does seen a bit lackluster, however I never once feel that the episode dragged on. That explosion trick kind of surprised me a bit, but was obvious in retrospective given Kiritsugu's character. Kind of lame that they had to censor the chamber scene, hopefully the BD will be out soon enough so I can witness the distorted side of Urobuchi's mind again.

driving bit seemed out of place, but subtlety hilarious, especially with the minute expressions on Saber's face. It would be too easy for Archibald to die that way. though that's crazy that Kirei decided to do it that way.

Also, Kotomine is pretty badass himself. i can't wait for the inevitable showdown between the two.

The thing is that most of the masters and servants are very careful and precise in everything that they do and say, and that's fine. But it's good to have a lively chaos factor to balance out with that, and this is what Rider/Waver provide in flying colors. With them not around, the overall atmosphere and mood feels a bit too sedate, a bit too comfortable/relaxed.

I'd say this week's dose of chaos was brought to you by the Caster/Ryounosuke pair that filled in for Rider/Waver.A completely different kind of chaos from the Rider/Waver pair but chaos nevertheless.

Though of course due to censoring they couldn't really shine in their full glory,the BD will fix that.

edit:and come on,can you feel confortable/relaxed when Irisviel is at the wheel?

Episode is okay, but it does give foreshadowing on Kiritsugu, Kotomine, and Gilgamesh later on. Kind of give what changes later on to F/SN. You can see that Kiritsugu and Kotomine are slowly changing anyway from what they actually do. Highly doubt Lancer and his master Archibald is killed immediately.